Roller clip board



R. H. ENslGN ET AL 3,085,579

ROLLER CLIP BOARD April 16, 1963 Filed March 1, 1961 1N VEN TORS 12055727 y. Ws/GN Arm/awry l 3,085,579 RLLER CLIP EGARD Robert il. Ensign, Bronxville, and Alban G. tl'aclrsmr,

New York, NFI'Z., assignors, hy mesne assignments, to Montag, incorporated, Atlanta, Ga., a corporation or This invention relates to a holder structure for looseleaf filler paper. More particularly, 4the invention is concerned with a loose-leaf binder fior such ller sheets having at least a pair of perforations provi-ded adjacent one edge, which perforations are adapted -to be engaged by a 'suitable holding means such as split rings, covered pins, etc., to retain the loose-leaf sheets within the binder.

The invention to be described herein is concerned with a novel and unique loose-leaf holder oi the type wherein a support is provided for the underside of the ller paper which in effect renders the structu-re a portable desk yand wherein the paper may be covered and protected during such time that the writing surface is not in use.

Structures of the general type are known in the art and are generally of the sor-called clip board type wherein the edge of the supply or paper is engaged by a spring clip means and held in place -on the supporting iboard structure. While `such devices have utility, one main objection is the lfact that no means are provided wherein the writing surface Whether used or fresh, vcan be protected yfrom smudging or dirt such as will occur or accumulate when these devices are used in industrial plants or by contractors, or for the recording of data, such las research data, etc.

Accordingly, an object or the invention is to provide a novel loose-leaf binder.

A further object of the invention is to pnoduce a looseleaf binder which may be used under a variety of circumstances which will maint-ain lthe writing surface of the filler paper clean and in usable and legible condition.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a ller paper binder wherein the surface of the iller paper is protected by a unique pull down cover.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a unique pull down cover for loose-leaf binders wherein the cover and binder structure are comprised of rugged, wear resistant materials.

An additional object of the invention is to` provide a cover for loose-leaf binders which is conveniently used and which may be manufactured economically.

These and other objects of the invention, not specifically referred to, inherent in the invention may be taccomplished by providing a lbase member for supporting the full extent of the undersurface `of ller paper attached thereto; releasable means for maintaining said sheets positioned on said base; cover means for overlying the exposed top surface of the iiller paper, said means comprising a roller mounted on said base, a flexible protective sheet Iattached to the roller; a resilient -biasing means ao ing ron the roller whereby said cover will be rolled upon said roller when not in use and may be unrolled from said roller when in use and means for securing the exible cover in its use position.

3,@85579 Patented Apr. 16, 1963 ,t it@ Hav-ing lthus defined the `area of invention in general terms, the `device will be described in detail, reference being made to the attached drawing, wherein FIG. l is a -top plan view of the device comprising the instant invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational View taken along the line 2 2 Iof FIG. 1, and rotated 90 counterclockwise FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the -line 3 3 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is .an enlarged view of two plug elements utilized in the rewinding mechanism, Iand FIG. 5 is `an enlarged view showing a preferred means for attaching the ilexible cover to the roll mechanism.

Considering iirst FIG. 1, it will be seen that the device consists of ra base member -1 which forms a support for the filler insert which is comprised of superposed sheets `of paper 3, having `at least a pair of spaced apertures 4, 4', provided adjacent one edge, in this case the top edge. The base member l 4is provided with a pair or upturned, parallel edge members 5 and 6. These edge members are relatively shallow in a generally perpendicular direction to the base i but gradually deepen toward the top of the base, iinally terminating at the top edge of the binder in a pair of wing-like extensions 7 and 8.

.The base is further provided with kat least a pair lof spaced pins 9 and ill which pins are adapted to engage the apertures 4, d provided adjacent the edge of filler papers. lt will be appreciated that the filler, comprised of the superposed sheets 3, is inserted over the pins 9 and lil and held in the proper position on the base 1 lay means `of the pins. It will also be evident that some means should be provided to maintain the :sheets lof paper emplaced on he pins such that they cannot accidentally dislodge or be ost.

Returning now to the wing-like extensions 7 and 8 illustrated in FIGS. l land 2, it will be seen that these members serve as supports for a `closure member l2 comprised essentially of a rectangular plate having trunnions 14 ,and 16 journalled within suitable apertures provided in the extensions 7 and S. Y

The cover member l2, as seen in section in FIG. 2,J is of substantial thickness and is provided with a pair of spaced transversally ,aligned recesses l5, l5 (only one illustrated) which lare adapted to meet with and engage the tops of the pins 9 and 10. In addition it will be noted that the trunnions 14 and li6 are dispo-sed somewhat below a rnedium plane passing through the longitudinal center of ycover member l2 such that the rear edge thereof swings through yan arc if the cover is swung from a position overlying pins 9 and l0 to a position away from lthese pins. This edge l2 is so contoured as to dene an over center cam which extends ytransversally across the entire Width of the cover and is in engagement with a resilient up-standing member 2l) which member is adapted to bear against cam surfaced edge 3@ deiined on the rear edge of the cover l2. Thus as will ybe apparent, the resilient member 20 will bear against the cam surface 3G to lock the cover in place against the tops of the pins when the cover member -is positioned over the pins. Also when the cover member is pivoted away `from the pins the resilient member 20 will give, enabling cam surface 30 to pass to over center position maintaining the cover out of engagement with .the pins 9 and 10 such that the paper sheets 3 comprising the filler package may be engaged or disengaged from .the pins at will.

Considering now FIGS. 2 and 3 it will be seen that the rear most portions of the wing-like extensions 7 and S are connected transversally by `a generally inverted L shaped housing 24 which has one leg 26 extending downwardly between extensions to define a rear wall between the extensions; the other leg 2S of which is perpendicular thereto, slightly arched, and extends from the rear wall 24 toward the resilient member 29. The terminal edge 32 of this leg of housing 24 is spaced `from the terminal edge of the resilient member 26' to define therewith a longitudinal slot extendnig transversally across the baseI and being disposed parallel to the upper edge of the sheets 3 impaled on the pins 9 and 16.

That portion of each of the extensions 7 and 8 disposed -beneath the housing 24 is provided with further apertures 36 and 38, respectively, which apertures are located in transversally spaced coaxially aligned relation. The aperture 36 is generally circular in configuration While aperture 3S is rectangular in configuration. Eac. of the apertures 36 and 38 receives a plug member 50 and 60 respectively, these being illustrated in FIG. 4.

The plug 50 consists essentially of a generally cylindrical portion 42, a head 46 and cylindrical boss 4S which boss is adapted to fit within the aperture 36 such that the plug 50 will rotate therein. The head i6 of course bears against the side of wing 7.

The plug 60, on the other hand, includes a similar cylindrical portion 49 and head 52, but rather than a cylindrical boss, it is provided with a generally rectangular boss 54 which is adapted to engage the rectangularly configured aperture 38 such that when the head 52 bears against the extension 8 this plug 6G is held in nonrotatable relation with respect thereto.

Each of the cylindrical portions 42 and 49, plugs 50 and 60 respectively, are provided with a slot and groove arrangement 56, 56 so contoured as to be able to engage the end loops 72, 72 of a coil spring 7G which is stretched between the plugs and confined within the housing 24 as shown in FIG. 3. The spring 70 is in turn surrounded by a roller 74 provided at one end with a pair of diametrically aligned slots 75. The opposite end of the roller 74 is plain and will bear against the inner surfaces of the extension 8. The slotted end of the roller 74 is adapted to engage a pair of diametrically aligned tongue-like elements 76 which are formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 42 of plug 5G such that the plug 50 will be caused to rotate as the roller 74 is caused to rotate. It will be apparent from the described and illustrated structure that rotation of a roller 74 in a clockwise direction (as illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 2) will cause the spring 7) to build upv a resilient force tending to rewind the roller in a counterclockwise direction.

Having one edge' thereof fixed to the roller any suitable means such as adhesive or by the means illustrated in FIG, 5, is a piece of flexible plastic or simil/ar substance in the form of a sheet Si). The configuration and size of this sheet 80 is such that it will, when unwrapped from the roller 74, cover the entire exposed writing surface of the paper sheets 3 emplaced on the base 1. Preferably the lower edge of base l is provided with an upstanding tongue 96. The free edge of the flexible cover 80 is so formed as to receive a rod-like member 82 having a U shaped intermediate portion 84 which is adapted to engage the tongue 9d to keep the cover from rewinding or roller 74 when the cover sheet Si) is serving its protective function.

It will be noted that the diameter of the rod 82 is such that it is greater than the width of the slot defined between the terminal edge 32 of the aforesaid housing member 24 and either the cam surface 30 of closure member 1S or the terminal edge of the fiexible member 2G. Thus it will be seen that while the normal condition of the resilient spring will be such as `to keep the cover member Sti wrapped upon the revolving roller 74. The terminal edge of the cover member 8G which surrounds the rod 82 will thus be prevented from slipping beneath the housing 24. The loop portion 34 of rod 82 serves as a manual grasping means wherein the cover may be pulled downwardly over the surface of the paper, the loop then being engageable with the tongue 9i? tO maintain the cover in an extended, protective position.

As we stated, the cover 8G may be fixed to the roller 74 by means other than an adhesive. Such an arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein the roller 74 is provided with a slot 73 which receives a bead S1 formed on the edge of the cover 3%. It will be appreciated that a variety of means may be employed to form the bead 81. Where the cover is a flexible vinyl plastic, a preferred material, the bead may be formed by applying heat to the edge of the cover and thereafter molding the bead to the desired size.

It will be noted that in the description above, the invention has been described in terms of a structure wherein the paper holding means and the cover actuating mechanism are disposed across the top edge of the supporting base 1. It is quite obvious that the same instrumentality could be disposed along the longer side of the base 1 should this arrangement be desirable. It will be further appreciated that this and other changes may be made in View of the disclosure wherein all of which are within the spirit and scope of the invention which is limited only as defined in the following claim.

Wherein what is claimed is:

A binder for holding a stack of paper sheets each having a pair of aligned holes cut near the top edge thereof, comprising a fiat base member for supporting the sheets throughout their length and width, a pair of upstanding posts on said base member extending through the holes in the sheets for holding the sheets against movement in a plane parallel to said base member, side walls on each side of said base member projecting perpendicularly to said base member to protect the side edges of the sheets, a resilient end wall on one end of said base member extending perpendicularly upwardly therefrom and being connected at the opposite ends thereof to said side Walls, a closure member extending across the base member above said posts and adjacent said end wall for engaging the tops of said posts to hold the sheets thereon, pivot means on each end of said closure member for securing the ends of said closure member to the associated said side wall for pivotal movement between a first position wherein said closure member engages said posts and a second position 'wherein said closure member is spaced from said posts to facilitate removal of the sheets therefrom, said closure member having two adjacent and parallel surfaces both of which are parallel to said resilient end wall, one of said surfaces being in intimate contact with said end wall when said closure member is in said first position for holding said closure member in this position and the other of said surfaces being in intimate contact with said end wall when said closure member is in said second position for maintaining said closure member in this position, said end wall being sufficiently resilient to permit movement of said closure member between said first and second positions, said side walls having extensions which project beyond said end walls, roller means having its opposite end connected to and supported by said extensions, a retractible protective sheet carried by said roller means and extensible into an overlying protective relation with said closure member and the paper sheets, one edge of said cover sheet being fixed to said roller means, resilient means disposed internally of said roller means and connected thereto and to said extension for biasing said roller means to reel said slot through which said cover sheet passes. 

